The beach next to the Bluewater Bay Surf Lifesaving Club was a hive of activity early this morning as 63 paddlers and their back-up crews arrived for the start of the Carbonology PE2EL Surf Ski Challenge.
A few local residents saw the solo and doubles race get underway at 5am and 5.30am respectively. But there will now be a second opportunity for residents to see part of the world’s toughest surf ski race.
The initial plan was to paddle to Woody Cape as the first leg of the four-day race, but the sea and weather conditions have resulted in changes to the route. The competitors will now paddle 35kms along the beach past Sundays River before returning to Bluewater Bay. The first of the paddlers is expected to arrive back on the beach next to the Lifesaving Club at about 10am, with the last due in at about 12pm.
Tomorrow’s leg of the race will see the route from Woody Cape to Port Alfred reversed, with the new starting point being Port Alfred. The schedule for the remaining two days is unchanged.
